Randy Smith
Alabama posted a 35-13 win over Tennessee on Saturday night but it almost didn't feel like a win for some Crimson Tide fans. Oh sure, several fans lit up the celebratory cigars after the game was well in hand and they were joined by a few members of the media which I thought was in really poor taste. However in the middle of the fourth quarter Tennessee was still very much in the football game.
The Vols were trailing 28-13 when they had a fourth and goal from inside the 'Bama one yard line.
I'm still not sure what exactly happened but Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano hurriedly brought his team to the line and attempted a quarterback sneak for the score that would have made it a one possession game. Bad idea. Guarantano was crushed at the line of scrimmage, and fumbled. The ball bounced right into the arms of Alabama defensive back Trevon Diggs who returned it 100 yards for a touchdown. Game over. Instead o/f making it a 28-20 game, it was 35-13 Alabama and the Tide had comfortably solidified its 13th straight win over the Volunteers.
As the embattled Tennessee quarterback returned to the sideline, he was met by Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt who read him the ultimate riot act. He even tugged a bit on his face mask as Guarantano turned away. That tug of the face mask led to a few fans calling for Pruitt's dismissal but that's not going to happen. Pruitt had every right to get his quarterback's attention following a miscue like that one.
Then there is the biggest factor of them all regarding Tennessee's success against the Tide. The ankle injury to Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the second quarter made the Tide just an ordinary offense under back up Mac Jones. With Tua on the sidelines Alabama will not win the SEC West nor will the Tide win the SEC Championship. Early reports have Tua on the shelf with a high ankle sprain. If he's out two weeks, 'Bama can still beat Arkansas this week with Mac Jones running the show.Then they're off a week before facing powerful LSU in the biggest game of the season in the SEC. That's why there hasn't been a big celebration in 'Bama land. There is no Jalen Hurts waiting on the sidelines to fill in for Tua this time around. Hurts is leading the Heisman Trophy talk at Oklahoma and if Tua isn't available, it's Mac Jones turn.
I'm sure Tua Tagovailoa will be okay, at least I sure hope he will be. If Tua is able to play Alabama will be in the playoff hunt, then the win over Tennessee becomes more and more like a victory.
* * *
Randy Smith can be reached at rsmithsports@epbfi.com